Iraqi security forces said on Saturday they had arrested dozens of "terrorists" in a day-long operation targeting suspects in Mosul, seen as Al Qaeda's last stronghold in the country."The operation started yesterday and ended today and led to the arrest of 74 terrorists wanted by the Iraqi forces," defence ministry spokesman Major General Mohammed al-Askari told AFP. "They are from various terrorist groups, especially from Al Qaeda," he said. Police and troops carried out "a military operation targeting terrorists and criminals in Mosul," he said, indicating that the operation had prevented the suspects from carrying out planned attacks. "We did the raids according to intelligence information and before they could implement their plans. The forces also freed a person and defused two car bombs," he added.
The US army says that the northern city of Mosul is the last bastion of Al Qaeda in Iraq.